Padma Patil

Have you figured out who else has cursed pins yet?

I'm fairly certain Lines has one. He's been utterly candid and not in a kind way. I mean, he's usually rather clueless, you know, but it's as if every other sentence has some pronouncement or other about how people can improve themselves. Which is not really like him, much. Or at least, it's not the same as normal.

But I'm not going to tell him if he can't figure it out for himself! I mean, if he's supposed to be so clever and all.

You may have liked the last one where we had to ambush people but I actually find this quite amusing.

Unless you're standing too close to Crabbe.

(I've also got one of Draco's books. He left it behind on his desk after Charms but he hasn't asked about it. Maybe he keeps forgetting?)

Happy Valentine's Day.

Did you get the same owl? About tomorrow? Honestly, I'm sort of looking forward to it.

I mean, part of the Council is being able to work together as a group, even when if some of them are arguing about other things. So we should all be able to get along for an afternoon.

Only, I wish it weren't right in the middle of a Hogsmeade Day.

Do you think we'll get a chance to talk to our sponsors about where we are in the standings? Because I'm not sure the last challenge was really a good one for me. I'd love to get Lana's ideas about how to improve next time.

Have you decided yet? Rama, Linus's is a right pain in the arse. But it was pretty funny to watch Lucas O'Leary try to walk through without wishing long life to the Lord Protector, and then practically crawl on his belly between the door and the circulation desk.

I just hope they don't think it's too similar to what I'm planning. But I don't think Lines' shows his loyalty, so much as it tests everyone else's. So probably it'll be all right.

Anyway, Seamus sent his off to his sponsor to look at before he finished it up, and I know Lares plans to unveil his in the morning. You'd better get a move on if you haven't come up with an idea yet. Not surprising Weasley's done something that required next to no effort.

(And did you see that little clutch of 2nd-year girls following Sam to lunch? I mean, how could you not, they were throwing rose petals and chanting all about her devotion to the Lord Protector. Still, I hardly think that's a 'creation' do you? Nor is Vaisey and Stevens' 'entry'--I mean, honestly, it's not as if they knew about this last term, and it's certainly not like she's going to produce a baby in the next 24 hours. I think that shouldn't qualify if you ask me.)

Have you looked at the application?

I mean, it's simple enough but why do you think they want to know how many hours a week we spend reading? or exercising? I thought the point was to demonstrate fitness with the actual exercises.

And then those situation questions! 'You see a fork in the path. One path leads to a forest, the other to a castle. Which do you pick?' Oh, and the one about walking down the sreet at night and witnessing a robbery? What do they want you to say?

It's like they don't give you enough information to choose, you know? Is the robber a wizard? Is the castle as far away as the forest? Is it day or evening and would there be any shelter?

At least there's a proper essay topic. And no more PMs to famous people.